Theftproof coin receptacle for coin-operated apparatus

ABSTRACT

A coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space within a coin-operated apparatus has an opening formed through part of the upper surface thereof for admitting coins that are dropped into a slot or slots of the apparatus. The opening is automatically closed by a sliding lid as the receptacle is drawn out of the hollow space. A first lock mechanism is provided for locking the receptacle in position within the hollow space, and a second lock mechanism is provided for automatically locking the lid in closed position when the receptacle is drawn out of the hollow space.

[ Oct. 15, 1974 THEFTPROOF COIN RECEPTACLE FOR 2,783,937 3/1957 Hudson....,.........................,..232/15 2,973,139 3/ 1 9 r Leone ct a1. 23 2/15 Osbornc..... 232/15 232/15 COIN-OPERATED APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Tadayoshi Kaneda; Mitsuaki Tanaka, both of Himeji, Japan [73] Assignee: Glory Kogy Kabushiki Kaisha,

Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam Hyogo-ken, Japan Assistant ExaminerPeter A. Aschenbrenner Nov. 6, 1972 Ammey [21] Appl. No.: 303,719

Agent, or Firml-lolman & Stern [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT 1 A coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space within a coin-operated apparatus has an opening formed through part of the upper surface Nov.5,1971 Japan.................. 46/103105 thereof for admitting coins that are dropped into a slot or slots of the apparatus. The opening is automatically closed by a sliding lid as the receptacle is drawn out of the hollow space. A first lock mechanism is provided for locking the receptacle in position within the hol- References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS low space, and a second lock mechanism is provided for automatically locking the lid in closed position when the receptacle is drawn out of the hollow space.

2,109,864 Long............ 232/15 2,580,752

Forester................................

232/15 I 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAl'Emiunm 1 51324 sum 2 or 3 THEFTPROOF COIN RECEPTACLE FOR COIN-OPERATED APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to coin-operated apparatus such as an automatic vending machine, a coin changer, a rental locker system and various other socalled coin-operated machines. More specifically, the invention is directed to a novel and improved theftproof coin receptacle for use in collecting the coins dropped into the slot or slots of such coin-operated apparatus.

PRIOR ART Most of the known coin receptacles used for this purpose have been simply in the form of an open-topped box, which is inserted into a hollow space of the coinoperated apparatus to receive the coins dropped therein. The coins deposited in such prior art coin receptacles must be manually transferred into a separate bag or other suitable repositories for transportation to a place where the coins may be counted and properly disposed of. This involves a considerable expenditure of time and labor; moreover, the coins are exposed to theft or accidental loss as they are handled manually for transfer from the coin receptacle into the bag or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the noted inefficiency and inadequacy of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a completely theftproof coin receptacle for use in collecting coins in various coin-operated apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coin receptacle in which there is provided a first lock mechanism operable to lock the coin receptacle in position within a hollow space formed in a coin-operated apparatus only when a lid for an opening through which coins are dropped into the coin receptacle is duly opened, with the lid being opened automatically when the coin receptacle is inserted into the hollow space.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coin receptacle in which an opening through which coins are dropped into the coin receptacle is automatically closed by a lid and further locked by a second lock mechanism when the coin receptacle is drawn out of a hollow space formed in the coin-operated apparatus, so that the coins which have been deposited in the coin receptacle cannot be withdrawn therefrom unless the lid is unlocked by an authorized person.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a coin receptacle which is simple and inexpensive in construction, compact in size, and positive in operation, such that it can be incorporated in coin-operated apparatus of almost any type without substantially increasing the manufacturing costs thereof.

According to the present invention, briefly summarized, there is provided a coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space in coin-operated apparatus for collecting coins dropped therein, said coin receptacle comprising a substantially boxlike casing, an opening formed through part of the upper surface of the casing for admitting the coins therethrough into the closing means for automatically closing the opening by the lid when the casing is drawn out of the hollow space, a first lock mechanism for locking the casing in position within the hollow space, and a second lock mechanism for automatically locking the lid when the casing is drawn out of the hollow space.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following; detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the inner details of the coin receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view explanatory of a state in which another example of the coin receptacle of the inl vention is fully inserted into a hollow space of a coinoperated apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view explanatory of a state in which the coin receptacle of FIG. 3 is about to be inserted into the hollow space of the coin-operated apparatus; 7

FIG. 5 is a top plan view explanatory of a state in which the coin receptacle of FIG. 3 is about to be drawn out of the hollow space; and

FIG. 6 is also a top plan view explanatory of a state in which the coin receptacle of FIG. 3 is further drawn out of the hollow space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof to describe a first preferred embodiment of this invention, a frame part of an automatic vending machine, a coin changer, a rental locker system or other coin-operated apparatus to which are applicable the concepts of the invention is indicated at 1. A coin receptacle 2 according to the invention is accommodated in a hollow space 3 of the apparatus 1 open to the front surface thereof, with the coin receptacle being generally in the shape of a box. A lever 4 turnable on a pin 5 is positioned on the upper wall of the hollow space 3. Substantially in the form of an elongate strip of metal or like material, the lever 4 is formed with a substantially V-shaped edge at 6 adapted for purposes hereinafter made apparent. A pair of stops are positioned at 7 and 8 on the upper wall of the hollow space 3 of the apparatus 1 for restricting the turning motion of the lever 4.

A generally rectangular opening 9, through which coins are dropped into the coin receptacle 2 in a manner understandable to those skilled in the art, is formed through the rear portion of the upper surface of the coin receptacle. A cover or lid 10 slidable along guide grooves 11 of the coin receptacle is provided for opening and closing the opening 9. Adjacent the rear edge of the lid 10, a projection 13 stands upwardly for engagement with the rear edge of the lever 4 when the coin receptacle is being drawn out of the hollow space 3 and for engagement with an abutment 12 formed on the upper wall of the hollow space when the coin receptacle is inserted therein. Another projection is provided at 31 on the upper surface of the coin receptacle for engagement with one lateral edge of the lever 4.

A first lock mechanism 14 operable through the front surface of the coin receptacle 2 includes a turnable latch 15 which, when turned by a key not shown in these drawings, passes through a slot 16 formed through the lid 10 adjacent the front edge thereof, another slot 17 formed through the upper surface of the coin receptacle adjacent the front edge thereof, and still another slot 18 formed correspondingly through the upper wall of the hollow space 3. The coin receptacle is thus locked in position within the hollow space 3, and at the same time the upper opening 9 of the coin receptacle is kept open as long as the coin receptacle is retained in position in this manner. Further by this upward turn of the latch 15, the lever 4 is turned on the pin in such a manner that its rear edge is now moved to a position ready for engagement with the projection 13 of the lid 10.

A second lock mechanism 19 operable through one of the side surfaces of the coin receptacle includes a turnable lever 20 positioned within a chamber 23 partitioned off from a coin storage chamber 22 by a wall 21. A substantially U-shaped bracket 24 is fixedly mounted within the chamber 23 for vertically reciprocatively supporting a vertical rod 25 having a pin 26 extending horizontally through its lower end to be normally held in contact with the lower surface of the bracket 24. Another pin 27, to be depressed by the lever 20, extends horizontally through the middle of the rod 25, and a helical compression spring 28 is provided therebelow for resiliently urging the rod 25 upwardly through the second mentioned pin 27. A locking member 29 in the form of a strip of metal or like material has one of its ends secured on the upper surface of the bracket 24 and the other free end thereof engaged with the upper end of the rod 25. When the opening 9 is closed, the locking member 29 engages the front edge of the lid to retain the same in that position until the lever of the second lock mechanism 19 is turned down by a key, not shown, to depress the rod through the pin 27 against the helical compression spring 28.

A handle 30 of any suitable design may be provided on the rear surface of the coin receptacle to add to its portability.

Proceeding now to the description of operation of this first preferred embodiment of the invention, the first lock mechanism 14 is operated after the coin receptacle 2 has been inserted into the hollow space 3 of the apparatus 1 from the front opening thereof. By turning the key, not shown, inserted into the first lock mechanism 14, the free end of the latch 15 is turned upwardly through the above described slots 16, 17 and 18 to lock the coin receptacle in position.

It is to be noted that since the coin receptacle is carried by the handle 30 provided on its rear surface, the opening 9 may not be closed by its lid 10 during transportation. Even if the opening 9 is partly closed when the coin receptacle is about to be inserted into the hollow space 3, the projections 13 on the lid 10 will engage the abutment 12 of the upper wall of the hollow space while the coin receptacle is being inserted therein, so that the lid 10 will be held immovable while the coin receptacle is pressed farther inward into the hollow space. Since the opening 9 is thus completely opened when the coin receptacle has been fully inserted into the hollow space, the free end of the latch 15 can be admitted into the slot 16 of the lid 10 as the key is succeedingly turned in the first lock mechanism 14 to lock the coin receptacle in position. The coin receptacle is so designed that the opening 9 is now held in such a position within the coin-operated apparatus that the coins inserted into its slot or slots, not shown, are successively dropped into the coin storage chamber 22 of the coin receptacle.

The above described upward turn of the latch 15 further causes the lever 4 to turn on the pin 5 until its inner end contacts the stop 8, so that when the coin receptacle is later drawn out of the hollow space 3 of the apparatus 1, the lever 4 engages the projection 13 of the lid 10 to close the opening 9 while the coin receptacle is being drawn out.

For drawing the coin receptacle out of the hollow space, the key inserted into the first lock mechanism 14 is turned in the opposite direction to disengage the latch 15 out of the slots 16, 17 and 18. The opening 9 of the coin receptacle is closed automatically as aforesaid by the engagement of the lever 4 with the projection 13 of the lid 10 while the coin receptacle is being drawn out. At this instant, the locking member 29, which has been held depressed by the lid 10, is now turned upward by the helical compression spring 28 through the pin 27 and the rod 25, so that the rear edge of this locking member 29 engages the front edge of the lid 10 to lock the same in its position closing the open ing 9.

While the coin receptacle is being drawn out of the hollow space 3, the projection 31 on the upper surface of the coin receptacle moves in sliding contact with the substantially V-shaped edge 6 of the lever 4 causing the same to turn in such a manner that its rear end clears the projection 13 of the lid 10 to permit the coin receptacle to be pulled out of the hollow space.

The coin receptacle may then be carried by the coin collector to a person authorized to unlock the second lock mechanism 19. The lever 20 of this second lock mechanism is now turned downwardly to depress the rod 25 through the pin 27 against the helical compression spring 28. The locking member 29 being thus also turned downwardly, the lid 10 can now be manually opened to withdraw the coins that may be contained in the coin storage chamber 22.

When the coin receptacle has been drawn out of the hollow space 3 of the apparatus 1, another coin receptacle of identical construction may be inserted in its stead into the hollow space. It is to be noted that since the lever 4 is not in a position ready for engagement with the projection 13 of the lid 10 when the coin receptacle is reinserted into the hollow space 3, the lever 4 is turned by the latch 15 when the first lock mechanism 14 is succeedingly operated to lock the coin receptacle in position, so that its rear edge will duly engage the projection 13 when the coin receptacle is later drawn out of the hollow space.

Illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6 is another preferred embodiment of the invention, in which there is also provided a lever 4 turnable on a pin 5 secured to the hollow space 3 formed in the coin-operated apparatus 1 for accommodating a coin receptacle 2. The lever 4 has a rear edge 32 for engagement with a projection 13 formed on the upper surface of a lid 10 adjacent the rear edge thereof, the lid being slidable along guide grooves 11 extending on both sides of a generally rectangular opening 9 through which the coins are dropped into the coin receptacle. The lever iis further formed with a substantially V-shaped edge at 6 for guiding the motion of the lever 4 in cooperation with a projection 31 on the upper surface of the coin receptacle. Furthermore, the lever 4i is recessed at 33 for engagement with a stop '7 extending downwardly from the upper wall of the hollow space 3 for restricting the turning motion of the lever. Another stop 8 also extends downwardly from the upper wall of the hollow space 3 for restricting the turning motion of the lever l. An abutment I2 is formed on the upper wall of the hollow space 3 for engagement with the aforesaid projection I3 of the lid 10 when the coin receptacle is being inserted into the hollow space.

A first lock mechanism l4l operable through the front surface of the coin receptacle is constructed exactly like the first lock mechanism M shown in FIG. 2 in particular. Also as in the first embodiment of the invention, the lever 4 is turned clockwise, as seen in FIG. 3, into contact with the stop 3 when the latch of the first lock mechanism M is turned upward to lock the coin receptacle in position within the hollow space 3, so that rear edge 32 of the lever is brought to a position ready for engagement with the projection 13 of the lid ltll. A second lock mechanism 19 operable through one of the side surfaces of the coin receptacle is also constructed exactly like the second lock mechanism 19 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Although not shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a handle like the handle of FIG. I may be provided on the rear surface of the coin receptacle to add to its portability.

For use, the coin receptacle 2 is inserted into the ho]- low space 3 of the coin-operated apparatus I through the first opening thereof. By turning the key inserted into the first lock mechanism 14, the latch I5 thereof is turned upwardly through the slots I6, 17 and 18 set forth in connection with the FIGS. I and 2 embodiment, thereby locking the coin receptacle in position within the hollow space 3 as seen in FIG. 3. The lever 4 is now turned to such a position that its rear edge 32 is ready for engagement with the projection 13 of the lid 10. It is already mentioned that even if the opening 9 of the coin receptacle is partly closed by its lid 10 when the coin receptacle is about to be inserted into the hollow space 3, the projection 13 of the lid 10 engages the abutment 12 on the upper wall of the hollow space while the coin receptacle is being inserted therein, so that the opening 9 is completely opened when the coin receptacle has been fully inserted into the hollow space.

For drawing the coin receptacle out of the hollow space, the key inserted into the first lock mechanism 14 is turned in the opposite direction to disengage the latch I5 out of the above mentioned slots 16, 1'7 and 18. The coin receptacle is then pulled out of the hollow space as shown in FIG. 5. The opening 9 of the coin receptacle is closed automatically as the rear edge of the lever 4 is kept engaged with the projection 113 of the lid 10 whilethe coin receptacle is being drawn out. The second mechanism 19.now operates to lock the lid 10 in its closed position, as set forth previously in connection with the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

-As long as the projection 31 on the upper surface of the coin receptacle is moving in sliding contact with portion 6a of the substanatially V-shaped edge 6 of the lever 4 while the coin receptacle is being drawn out of the hollow space, the rear edge 32 of the lever is kept in engagement with the projection 13 of the lid It), as seen in FIG. 5. However, as the projection 31 moves along portion 612 of the edge 6, the lever 4 is turned so that its rear end clears the projection 13 to permit the coin receptacle to be pulled out of the hollow space, as seen in FIG. 6. The opening 9 of the coin receptacle is now completely closed by the lid Ill.

The second lock mechanism 119 can be unlocked similarly as its counterpart in the example shown in FIGS. I and 2 to open the lid It) and thus to withdraw the coins that may be contained in the coin receptacle.

Although, as previously mentioned, the projection 13 of the lid 10 moves along the straight edge of the lever 4 when the coin receptacle is being reinserted into the hollow space, as shown in FIG. d, the lever d is turned by the latch 15 as in FIG. 3 when the first lock mechanism M is succeedingly operated to lock the coin receptacle in position within the hollow space, so that its rear edge will duly engage the projection 13 when the coin receptacle is later drawn out of the hollow space.

We claim:

I. A coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space in a coin-operated apparatus for collecting coins dropped thereinto, comprising a substantially boxlike casing, an opening formed through part of the upper surface of said casing for admitting coins therethrough into said casing, a lid for opening and closing said opening, lid-closing means for automatically closing said opening by said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, a first lock mechanism for locking said casing in position within said hollow space, and a second lock mechanism for automatically locking said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, said lid-closing means comprising a lever turnably mounted on the upper wall of said hollow space,

a first projection on the upper surface of said lid cooperative with a first edge of said lever for closing said opening by said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, a second projection on the upper surface of said casing cooperative with a second edge of said lever for causing said lever to turn upon complete closure of said'opening to a first position where said first edge thereof becomes uncooperative with said first projection, and lever-turning means operated when said casing has been inserted into said hollow space for causing said lever to turn to a second position where said first edge thereof is ready for cooperation with said first projection.

2. The coin receptacle according to claim 1, in which said lever-turning means is a latch member included in said first lock mechanism.

3. The coin receptacle according to claim I, including an abutment on the upper wall of said hollow space cooperative with said first projection for opening said lid while said casing is being inserted into said hollow space.

4. A coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space in a coinoperated apparatus for collecting coins dropped thereinto, comprising a substantially boxlike casing, an opening formed through part of the upper surface of said casing for admitting coins therethrough into said casing, a lid for opening and closing said opening, lid closing means for automatically closing said opening by said lid when casing is drawn out of said hollow space, a first lock mechanism for locking said casing in position within said hollow space, and a second lock mechanism for automatically locking said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, said first lock mechanism including a turnable latch member which when turned for locking said casing in position is admitted into a first slot formed in said casing and a second slot formed in a stationary part of the apparatus, said latch member being further admitted into a third slot formed in said lid when turned for locking said casing in position, whereby said opening of said casing cannot be closed by said lid as long as same is held locked within said hollow space.

5. A coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space in a coin-operated apparatus for collecting coins dropped thereinto, comprising a substantially boxlike casing, an opening formed through part of the upper surface of said casing for admitting coins therethrough into said casing, a lid for opening and closing said opening, lid closing means for automatically closing said opening by said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, a first lock mechanism for locking said casing in position within said hollow space, and a second lock mechanism for automatically locking said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, said second lock mechanism comprising a turnable locking member having a free end capable of moving between a first position where said lid is held locked on said opening of said casing and a second position where said lid can be opened, a rod having one end coupled to said free end of said locking member, resilient means for urging said free end of said locking member to said first position thereof through said rod, and a key-operated member for causing said free end of said locking member to move to said second position thereof through said rod against said resilient means. 

1. A coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space in a coin-operated apparatus for collecting coins dropped thereinto, comprising a substantially boxlike casing, an opening formed through part of the upper surface of said casing for admitting coins therethrough into said casing, a lid for opening and closing said opening, lid-closing means for automatically closing said opening by said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, a first lock mechanism for locking said casing in position within said hollow space, and a second lock mechanism for automatically locking said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, said lid-closing means compRising a lever turnably mounted on the upper wall of said hollow space, a first projection on the upper surface of said lid cooperative with a first edge of said lever for closing said opening by said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, a second projection on the upper surface of said casing cooperative with a second edge of said lever for causing said lever to turn upon complete closure of said opening to a first position where said first edge thereof becomes uncooperative with said first projection, and lever-turning means operated when said casing has been inserted into said hollow space for causing said lever to turn to a second position where said first edge thereof is ready for cooperation with said first projection.
 2. The coin receptacle according to claim 1, in which said lever-turning means is a latch member included in said first lock mechanism.
 3. The coin receptacle according to claim 1, including an abutment on the upper wall of said hollow space cooperative with said first projection for opening said lid while said casing is being inserted into said hollow space.
 4. A coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space in a coinoperated apparatus for collecting coins dropped thereinto, comprising a substantially boxlike casing, an opening formed through part of the upper surface of said casing for admitting coins therethrough into said casing, a lid for opening and closing said opening, lid closing means for automatically closing said opening by said lid when casing is drawn out of said hollow space, a first lock mechanism for locking said casing in position within said hollow space, and a second lock mechanism for automatically locking said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, said first lock mechanism including a turnable latch member which when turned for locking said casing in position is admitted into a first slot formed in said casing and a second slot formed in a stationary part of the apparatus, said latch member being further admitted into a third slot formed in said lid when turned for locking said casing in position, whereby said opening of said casing cannot be closed by said lid as long as same is held locked within said hollow space.
 5. A coin receptacle to be removably inserted into a hollow space in a coin-operated apparatus for collecting coins dropped thereinto, comprising a substantially boxlike casing, an opening formed through part of the upper surface of said casing for admitting coins therethrough into said casing, a lid for opening and closing said opening, lid closing means for automatically closing said opening by said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, a first lock mechanism for locking said casing in position within said hollow space, and a second lock mechanism for automatically locking said lid when said casing is drawn out of said hollow space, said second lock mechanism comprising a turnable locking member having a free end capable of moving between a first position where said lid is held locked on said opening of said casing and a second position where said lid can be opened, a rod having one end coupled to said free end of said locking member, resilient means for urging said free end of said locking member to said first position thereof through said rod, and a key-operated member for causing said free end of said locking member to move to said second position thereof through said rod against said resilient means. 